Machine gun recharger



M 39416 G. R. SEVERANCE 9 5 MACHINE GUN RECHARGER Filed Sept. 13, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet l I I I I I I TI I I I I I I l l I I I N I INVENTOR.

HTTOKNEK April 2, 1946- G. R. SEVERANCE MACHINE GUN RECHARGER Filed Sept. 13, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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G. R. SEVERANCE MACHINE GUN RECHARGER Filed Sept. 13, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

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Patented Apr. 2, 1946 MACHINE GUN RECHARGER Glen R. Severance, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Eureka Williams Corporation, a corporation of Michigan Application September 13, 1943;;Serial No. 502,389

4 Claims.

This invention relates to machine gun rcchargers and particularly to an automatic mechanism for automatically recharging a machine gun in the event that the bolt thereof fails to retract.

Principal objects of the invention are:

To provide an automatic machine gun recharger;

To provide a new and improved form of automatic machine gun recharger;

To provide a lightweight, efficient, simple and dependable machine gun recharger adapted to be applied to a machine gun on a plane for automaticall retracting the bolt thereof when a dead shell is in the breech of the gun barrel; and

To provide an electrical control circuit for a machine gun recharger adapted to be attached to a machine gun which is operated under the con trol of an electric circuit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which there are three sheets and wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a device embodying the invention with certain parts thereof broken away;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken generally along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the frame and switch box assembly of the mechanism; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the circult.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is indicated a portion of a machine gun it} having a bolt l2 which is adapted to reciprocate during the operation of the gun. The bolt [2 is associated with the firing mechanism of the gun and is retracted by the recoil due to the firing of the shell. While these machine guns generally are not operated for more than a few seconds at a time, there are some which will fire as many as seven hundred rounds of ammunition per-minute, which means that the bolt 12 may reciprocate as frequently as approximately twelve times per second. The bolt I2 is indicated in the general position to be released for firing the shell which is positioned in the breech of the gun barrel and after firing of such shell the recoil will move the bolt I2 to the left along the path indicated by the slot 14 of the gun through which the bolt [2 projects.

A devic embodying the invention consists of a mechanism for automatically retracting the bolt against the tension of the spring thereof if the shell fails to fire, and this mechanism in general comprises a frame [6 adapted to be suitably secured to a machine gun [9 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, said frame forming a support for an electric motor l8, 2. reduction gear 20, a plurality of sprockets 22, 24, and 26, a chain 28 operatively associatedwith the sprockets, a lug on the chain 28, and a switch box 32. In addition to the mechanism disclosed in Fig. l, a circuit as illustrated in Fig. 4 is employed in connection therewith, and this circuit includes certain control mechanism which may be mounted in a box or on a panel elsewhere than on the recharger itself.

The sprocket 22 is mounted on a shaft 34 which projects from the reduction gear 20. The reduction gear 28 may comprise a suitabl housing having gearing therein connected to the shaft of the motor 18 and driven thereby, the gearing functioning to drive the shaft 34 at a speed much less than that of the motor during the operation thereof. The teeth of the sprocket 22 operatively engage the links of the endless chain 28 for driving the same, the sprockets 24- and 26 supporting 30 to move through a path so as to engage the bolt 12 in approximately the position in which it is indicated and move it to the left for the purpose of retracting the same against the spring which is conventionally associated therewith.

The lug 30 at one end thereof is pivoted at 38 to the chain, and at the other end thereof has a pin and slot connection 40 with the chain so as to not interfere with the passage of the chain over the sprockets. When the lug 30 has moved the bolt H! to its leftmost or retracted position (approximately the lefthand end of the slot [4) the path of the lug 30 veers away from the path of the bolt 12 so as to disengage the lug 30 from the bolt l2, thereby permitting the spring associg, 'ated with the bolt to return it to the position in means by which the unit may be assembled to the machine gun Ill. The bracket 52 is adapted to carry the switch box 32. Cover or guard 54 may be removably secured to the frame [6 so as to at-least partially enclose the operating mechanism of the unit.

The sprockets 24 and 26 are each individually journaled on a bearing 58 which is carried by an eccentricsleeve 58 which in turn is carried by screw 68 which in turn is threaded into nut 62 carried by the. frame 16. Thus the sprockets 24 and 25 may each be adjusted vertically or horizontally and independently of each other so as to properly position the chain 28 and tension the same.

The switch box 32 has arranged therein a double contact switch 64 which will hereinafter sometimes be referred to as g a bolt-operated switch, and another switch'fili which will hereinafter sometimes be referred to as a chain-operated switch. The bolt-operated switch 64 includes stationary contacts 68 and movable .contacts 10, the contacts 10 being carried by va member which is mounted on a pin or plunger 12.

Plunger I2 is reciprocally mounted in the switch box 32 and the righthand end thereof, as illustrated in Fig. 1, is positioned so as to be. engaged by the bolt l2 at the end of each retractile stroke thereof. A spring 14 arranged around one end of the plunger 12 and confined between one wall of the case 32 and the movable contacts 10 biases the same out of engagement with the stationary contacts 68 so that the bolt switch is normally open.

The stationary contacts 68preferably are resiliently mounted. A spring 16 may be arranged between the member which carries the movable contacts 18 and a nut 18. secured to the plunger which cooperates with bracket 80 so as to limit the movement of the plunger 12 to the right. The plunger 12 extends through a suitable hole in bracket 88. The member which carries. the movable contacts lil is not fastened on the plunger .12 but is positioned thereon by the springs 18 and 18. When the bolt 12 strikes the end of the plunger 12 and thereby moves the same to the left, the switch. 64 will be closed for a fraction of a second. The actual time interval that the switch 64 is closed will of course depend upon the speed of firing of the machine. gun.

Switch 68 includes movable contact 82 and stationary contact 84. This switch is normally open and is adapted to be closed. and opened by the chain during each cycle of movement. Movable contact 82 is carried by a switch-operatin member 86. having arms 88 and 80. The member 88 in cross section is U-shaped, and the arm 88" is positioned at one side of the. chain 28 while the other arm 98. is positioned on the oppositeside of the chain 218. The member 88 is pivoted at 92 and is held in either: its open or closed position by a spring 94, one end of which bears against the end of the. member 86. For example, in the position illustrated, the end of the spring 94 bears against the member 86 to one side of the pivot 92, thereby holding the. member 86 in its open position. When. theswitch is closed the member 86 pivots in a counterclockwise direction, thereby shifting: the end of the spring 94 to. the other side of the. pivot 92. for holding the switch 681 closed. The switch am. 80 is, in the position in which it is illustrated. arranged in. the path of a pin 88 which projects laterally from one of the links of the. chain. The pin 96. proi'ects toward the. machine. gun and; aiterthechain has moved a limited amount in its driven direction,-

which is indicated by the arrow 98, the pin 96 will engage the arm 90 and shift the member 86 to its other position so as to close the switch 66.

The chain 28 is provided with another laterally extending pin I which projects from one of the links of the chain in a. direction away from the gun and which pin I00 is adapted to engage the arm 88 and return the member 86 to the position illustrated in Fig. 1 so as to open the switch 66. Thus, after the chain 28 and lug 30 have been moved a small amount from their starting position in which they are indicated in Fig. l, the pin 96 will by acting on the switch arm 98 close the chain-operated switch 66, and shortly before the chain 2 8 and lug 30 are returned to their starting position the pin I80 will engage the switch arm 88 and open the switch 88. After the switch 68 is open the inertia of the motor l8 and gearing 28 will permit the lug 38 to return approximately to the position illustrated.

The bolt-operated switch 84 is adapted to be closed during the operation of the machine gun by the reciprocation of the bolt 12, and the closing of the switch 64 controls the motor circuit so as to prevent the operation thereof while the machine gun is operating, if the trigger and safety switches thereof are closed as will be further described hereafter. However, should the machine gun fail to operate with the trigger switch and safety switch closed,'the bolt l2 will not recipro cate and the switch 64 will remain open, thereby controlling the circuit of the motor so as to initiate the operation thereof. When the motor operates, the chain 28 will be driven in the direction indicated by the arrow 98 and after a relatively small movement of the chain the switch 56 will be closed. The switch 66 controls the motor circuit so as to keep the same closed after the motor begins to operate and until the recharger mechanism completes one cycle of operation.

One cycle of operation consists of movement of the chain 28 sumciently so as to move the lug 30 from the position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 1. around past the sprockets 26, 24 and 22 and back to the position illustrated. During this movement the lug 30 will, as previously described, retract the bolt 12 and free it for movement under influence of its spring. The switch 66 closes the motor circuit shortly after the motor begins to operate and will keep the motor circuit closed until opened by the pin I08, even though the trigger switch of the machine gun circuit is opened before the mechanism completes one cycle of operation.

The wires of the moto circuit are connected to the switches in the switch box 32, and the switches in the switch box 32 are adapted to be connected by suitable. current conductors to the controls, the connector H8 being. provided On the switch box 32 for cooperation with a suitable connectar on the current conductors which lead to the controls.

The switches and controls and circuits are diagrammatically illustrated. in. Fig. 4 wherein the same reference characters have been employed to indicate the switches as described in connection Fig- 1. Conductor A. is connected to the mastergun or safety switch ill of the firing circuit for the machine gun, andwhen such switch is closed the conductor A is energized. This conductor A is. connected through fuse Hi! to one side. of the motor l8 and a conductor 13 leads from. the other side of the motor [8 to contact 84 of switch 66. This conductor B is adapted to be grounded by switch 66 when the same is either through switch $6 or through switch H4 the motor will operate.

The conductor D is connected to the trigger switch H3 of the machine gun firing circuit and when the trigger switch is closed (when the safety switch I I I is closed) the conductor D is energized, and the firing solenoid H5 i energized thereby releasing the firing pin of the gun in order to fire the shell in the gun and initiate the automatic operation thereof. The conductor D is connected to one side of a coil I29 of a relay, while the other side of the coil is grounded by conductors E and C. A resistance I22 is arranged in the conductor D ahead of the coil I20. The con ductor D is also connected to the positive terminal of a condenser I24, while the negative terminal thereof is grounded through conductor F. The positive terminal of the condenser I24 is connected to one of the stationary contacts 68 of the bolt-operated switch 64, while the other stationary contact thereof is grounded. Thus when the switch 6 is closed, the condenser I24 will be discharged.

Assuming that the conductor A is energized, which is the case when the safety switch of the machine gun circuit is closed, the machine gun will be ready to operate, as will the recharger mechanism thereof. When the trigger switch of the machine gun is closed, the machine gun will begin operating unless a defective shell is in the breech thereof. In any event, when the trigger switch of the machine gun circuit is closed the conductor D will be energized which will function to charge the condenser I24. The circuits are adapted to carry twenty-four volts. The condenser I24 may be a fifteen-volt, 2000 microfarad polarized type. If the machine gun functions as it should, the bolt I2 thereof will periodically close the switch 54 thereby discharging the condenser I24. However, if the machine gun fails to work, due, for example, to a defective shell in the breech thereof, the switch 64 will not be closed, and after the condenser I24 has been charged coil I20 of the relay will be energized by current from the battery thereby actuating the armature which closes the movable contacts H6 of the relay switch He. Closing of this switch closes the motor circuit and initiates operation thereof. During normal operation of the machine gun the switch 64 will close sufficiently frequently so that the coil I20 will not become energized sufiiciently to close the switch I I4.

The coil I26 may have a resistance of 70 ohms. The switch 66 will be closed as previously described shortly after the motor begins operating, and will remain closed until shortly after the lug 3B completes one cycle of operation. Thus if the trigger switch is open, which would deenergize the conductor D, the motor circuit would be closed from the conductor A through the conductor B w hich would be grounded through switch 66 after the same is closed. In this Way the recharger mechanism will complete a cycleonce started, irrespective of whether the trigger switch is open or closed, so that the next time the trigger switch is closed the machine gun will be cooked for immediate firing. The resistance I 22 may be fifty-five ohms. The relay may pull eleven volts.

While the invention has been described with some detail, it is to be understood that the description is for the purpose of illustration only and is not definitive of the limits of the inventive idea. The right is reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

I claim:

1. A recharger for an electrically controlled machine gun adapted to be fired by the closing of a firing circuit, a trigger switch operable for closing said circuit, said machine gun having a reciprocable bolt adapted to be retracted normally by the recoil of a fired shell, said recharger comprising a. member movable through a path and in its movement through said path being engageable with said bolt for retracting the same and being constructed and arranged to release said bolt in its retracted position, an electric motor, a driving connection between said motor and member for moving the latter through its path during operation of said motor, an electric circuit in which said motor is included, a normally open switch in said motor circuit, a control circuit including said trigger switch and adapted to be closed by the closing of said trigger switch and a relay arranged for closing said normally open switch, a condenser in said control circuit in parallel with said relay and operable to delay the operation of said relay upon closing of the trigger switch, and means in said control circuit normally operable when the trigger switch is closed for periodically discharging said condenser so as to prevent the operation of said relay, said means being constructed and arranged to be operated by said bolt during the reciprocation thereof, said means being constructed and arranged to be inoperative upon failure of said bolt to reciprocate whereby said relay is operable on failure of said bolt to reciprocate when the trigger switch is closed to close said normally open switch in said motor circuit thereby to actuate said motor.

2. A recharger for an electrically controlled machine gun adapted to be fired by the closing of a firing circuit, a trigger switch operable for closing said circuit, said machine gun having a reciprocable bolt adapted to be retracted normally by the recoil of a fired shell, said recharger comprising a member movable through a path and in its movement through said path being engageable with said bolt for retracting the same and being constructed and arranged to release said bolt in its retracted position, an electric motor, a driving connection between said motor and member for moving the latter through its path during operation of said motor, an electric circuit in which said motor is included, a normally open switch in said motor circuit, a control circuit including said trigger switch and adapted to be closed by the closing of said trigger switch and a relay arranged for closing said normally open switch, a condenser in said control circuit in parallel with said relay and operable to delay the operation of said relay upon closing of the trigger switch, and means in said control circuit normally operable when the trigger switch is closed for periodically discharging said condenser so as to prevent the operation of said relay, said means being constructed and arranged to be operated by said bolt during the reciprocation thereof, said means'bein'g constructed and arranged to be inoperative upon failure-of said bolt to reciprocate whereby said relay is operable on failure of said bolt to reciprocate when the trigger switch is closed to close said normally open switch in said motor circuit thereby to:actuate said motor, said means comprising a circuit for grounding said condenser and a normally'open switch positioned to be engaged and closed by said bolt during the reciprocation thereof.

3. A recharger for an electrically controlled machine gun adaptedto be fired by the closing of a firing circuit, a trigger switch operable for closing said circuit, said machinelgun having a reciprocable bolt adapted, to be retracted normally by the recoilof a -fired shell, said recharger comprising a member movable through a cycle and in its movement through said cycle being ongageable with said bolt for retracting the same and being constructed and-arranged to release said bolt in its retracted position, an electric mo tor, a driving connection between said motor and member for moving the latter through its cycle during operation of said motor, an electric circuit in which said notor is included, a normally open switch in said motor circuit, a control circuit including said trigger switch and adapted to be closed by the closing of said trigger switch and a relay thereina-rranged for closing said normally open switch, a condenser in said control circuit in parallel with said relay and operable to de lay the operation of said relay upon closing of the trigger switch, means in said control circuit normally operable when the trigger switch is closed for periodically discharging said condenser so as to prevent the operation of said relay, said means comprising apart mounted in the path .of reciprocation of said bolt to be operated by said ol d r n th rec p ocat n th eo sa d m a in con ucted and a ran ed t b op tive upon failure of said bolt to reciprocate wherey s id e y s operable on iail e o s d t to reciprocate when the trigger switch is closed to close sai norm lly pe switch in ai motor circuit thereby to actuate said motor, and means o eep the m to circ it cl sed it" the trigge switch-is n d be re the mo or has dri en sai m mber hro gh a c mpl c cl A echa ee or a el etricai y control ed machin un adapted o b fired y th closing of a firing circuit, a trigger switch operable for closing said circuit, said machine gun having a reciprocable bolt adapted to be retracted nor mally by the recoil of a fired shell, said recharger prisin a mem er m bl th ough a cy and. in its movement through said'cycle'being engageable with said bolt for retracting the same and being constructed and arranged to release said bolt in its retracted position, an electric :rnotor, a driving connection between'said motor and member for moving the latter through its cycle urin op rationof aid m tor, an lectric circu in which said motor is included, a normally open switchin said motor circuit, a control circuit including said trigger switch and adapted to be closed by the closing of said trig er .SWitQh and a re y arran ed for'cl sin sa d n rma y open switch, a condenser insaid control circuit in parallel with said relay and operable todelay the op of said relay po closin of the rig e switch, means in said control circuit nolimally operable when the trigger switch is closed for periodically discharging said condenser so as to prevent the operation of said relay, said means being constructed and arranged to be operated by said bolt during the reciprocation thereof, said means being constr d and arran ed to beinoperative upon failure of said bolt to reciprocate whereby said relay is Operable on failure of said bolt to reciprocate when the trigger switch is closed to l s s n ma y o en witch in sai motor it t e y t a ua said. mot r, said means comprising a circuit for grounding said condenser and a normally open switch positioned to be engaged and closed periodically by said bolt during the reciprocation thereof, and means to keep the motor circuit closed if the trigger switch is opened before the motor has driven said member through a complete cycle.

GLEN R- SEVEBANQE 

